Miles per week? Miles per run?

Training Advice/Discussion General

3 years ago 01/25/2021 12:11pm EST

I realize that everyone is different. I am a 49 year old casual runner. I have been running since April. I just got back into it after about a decade off. I am not training for a race. I am just trying to stay fit and have fun. I run 3-4 times a week. Usually length is 3-4 miles. My mile times are usually between 9-10 minutes. The way my life is right now I have trouble finding more than 3-4 days a week to run. I was just wondering if I am not running long enough. Years ago my short runs were 5 miles. So, I was wondering if a 30-40 minute run is enough to stay fit? Or should I try and extend my runs to closer to an hour? I guess my question is are there any runners that really only run 3 miles at a time.

3 years ago 01/25/2021 12:17pm EST

re: robrobrob

I’m 55 and average between 30-40 mpw on 6 days- 2 days a week I run between 3-5 very very easy ( as slow as 11 min pace) for recovery. I do one workout a week - 6-7 miles fartlek, tempo , progression and one long run of 10-11.

Your plan will keep you cardiovascularly fit and ready if you want to amp things up in the future if your goals change. Nothing wrong with a 3 mile jog.

3 years ago 01/25/2021 12:37pm EST

re: robrobrob

Define 'fit'!

I'd get so your current running load feels easy, and then add a little. Then wait til that feels easy and add a little. Then wait til that feels....

3 years ago 01/25/2021 12:48pm EST

re: range

The best way to think of your running workload is in miles per hour. There are 168 hours in a week. At one point in college, Cam Levins was approaching the gold standard for distance running of 1 mph.

3 years ago 01/25/2021 1:08pm EST

re: robrobrob

robrobrob wrote:
I realize that everyone is different. I am a 49 year old casual runner. I have been running since April. I just got back into it after about a decade off. I am not training for a race. I am just trying to stay fit and have fun. I run 3-4 times a week. Usually length is 3-4 miles. My mile times are usually between 9-10 minutes. The way my life is right now I have trouble finding more than 3-4 days a week to run. I was just wondering if I am not running long enough. Years ago my short runs were 5 miles. So, I was wondering if a 30-40 minute run is enough to stay fit? Or should I try and extend my runs to closer to an hour? I guess my question is are there any runners that really only run 3 miles at a time.

I don't think it really matters. Just do what you think is best for you.

Personally I think 3 mile runs are not worth the effort since changing and showing times stay the same. But I do run with my running group 3 miles a week as well.

3 years ago 01/25/2021 1:39pm EST

re: robrobrob

What you're doing is fine for you. As Camus said, though, eventually it will start to feel easy. Running 30-40 minutes is plenty for now. The next thing is to try adding another day per week. The next step is 4-5 days per week, then 5-6 days per week.

3 years ago 01/26/2021 10:57am EST

re: my 2c

Thanks for the answers. I don't have a problem with running 3 miles. I just wasn't sure if other "runners" run as little as 3 miles. I realize that this forum is probably geared toward towards more serious runners who usually run longer distances. Just the way our family schedule works I think I will have more luck trying to extend my runs rather than add an extra day.

3 years ago 01/26/2021 12:48pm EST

re: robrobrob

30-40 min is probably enough to stay fit

If you want to add some short sprints like 4x15 sec strides to help burn some calories too you could do that

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